Muhammad Ali Said to Be in ''Grave Condition'' as Family Gathers at Boxer's Hospital Bedside

"Laila's number one priority is her father's well-being," a spokesperson for his daughter tells NBC News

By Bruna Nessif Jun 03, 2016 11:17 PMTags
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Muhammad Ali's "brief" hospital stay is lasting a little longer than anticipated, but he's not there alone.

NBC News reports that the famous boxer's family has gathered by his hospital bedside as he continues to battle a respiratory condition, adding that the legend is currently in "grave condition." A spokesperson for his daughter Laila Ali says, "Laila's number one priority is her father's well-being. She truly appreciates the outpouring of love for her family, as she spends quality time with her dad."

Ali, who long ago earned himself the nickname The Greatest, checked into a Phoenix hospital on Thursday night. A statement from his team at the time explained that the 74-year-old former heavyweight, who suffers from Parkinsons disease, "is being treated by his team of doctors and is in fair condition. A brief hospital stay is expected."

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Muhammad Ali, 72, Hospitalized With Pneumonia
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In 2014, Ali was hospitalized and diagnosed with a "mild case" of pneumonia.

The retired three-time world heavyweight champion was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in 1984, at age 42. His ailment has no cure but can be controlled with medication.

Although out of the ring, Ali doesn't mind taking on a fight. Most recently, he took on presidential candidate Donald Trump, who suggested banning the entry of all Muslims to the United States.

Ali, who joined the Nation of Islam in 1964, argued, "Speaking as someone who has never been accused of political correctness, I believe that our political leaders should use their position to bring understanding about the religion of Islam and clarify that these misguided murderers have perverted people's views on what Islam really is."

Muhammad has also appeared in public several times over the past few years. The boxing champ was joined by several family members when he received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on Jan. 11, 2002. In September, he attended the Muhammad Ali Humanitarian Awards in his hometown of Louisville, Ky., where he received a lifetime achievement award.

(NBC News and E! Online are both part of the NBCUniversal family.)

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